Sonic Boom

Update: Some nice Spacemen 3 Ts: http://www.sonic-boom.info/shirts/ : )

Nice shot of Sonic Boom. Dig the revolving stage and matching shirt. Note the outward facing speakers and glow underneath. That would be surreal to see live. One of my biggest regrets was missing the Spectrum show in Seattle years ago to go see Fluke instead. Fluke was great and seeing "Atom Bomb" live was a hoot, but Sonic-Boom and a Synthi.... Why, oh why did I miss that... Title link takes you to Sonic-Boom's website with more info and upcoming shows.

AnalogSuicide.com- Sonic Boom Coming Soon....

"http://www.sonic-boom.info
http://www.tummytouch.com
http://www.analogsuicide.com
http://www.tarabusch.com
Sonic Boom says hello to AnalogSuicide.com from Tim Love Lee's studio.."
Anyone know what the modular under the KORG SQ10 is? You can find a couple of previous posts on Sonic Boom here.

Update: here it is, the Tim Love M5. I thought it looked familiar.

Sonic Boom talks about Patchblocks

Published on Sep 23, 2015 Patchblocks

"The awesome Pete Kember (Spacemen 3 / E.A.R. / Sonic Boom) was up for a nice interview and demo session with Patchblocks. Special thanks to Peter and Gus for this cool piece of footage ;-)"

Side note: I remember when Sonic Boom was selling his Synton Syrinx and Delia Derbyshire's EMS VSC3. I was so tempted to pick them up at the time, but I couldn't afford either. They've gone up in price considerably since then.

Panda Bear Synth Art

A friend of mine, Douglas, recommended Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper. I picked it up on vinyl, opened it up, and saw this image on the inner gatefold sleeve. How cool is that? You can clearly spot a Moog Voyager in the background and a Jomox XBase 999 in the foreground. There's also a some other gear, a synth cat, and a grim reaper with cables. One of the cables the reaper is holding wraps around Panda Bear and morphs into a scythe. Death by cable / death by synth / death by audio.

What is also particularly cool, and something you rarely see, are the synths listed in the liner credits. They are listed as follows:

Panda Bear: Jomox Xbase 999, Yamaha TX81Z, Moog Voyager, Elektron DPS-1, vocals, piano, effects & percussion.
Sonic Boom: EMS Synth AKS Synthesizer, Fenix II Modular, Moog Voyager, vocoder & effects.

Sonic Boom is the man behind Spectrum.  He has been featured here a few times on MATRIXSYNTH, including this post for his action figure. Side note: One of my biggest regrets years ago, before I started the blog format of MATRIXSYNTH, was missing out on Sonic Boom's Synton Syrinx and EMS VCS3 / Putney, which was previously owned by the one and only Delia Derbyshire. He listed them for sale on one of the synth lists. I forget which. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford them but I will never forget them.  It was one of those rare moments when you think, "Wow, that is something I will never see again.  I wish I were rich... "  Don't we all.  :)

Spectrum - Sonic Boom

I couldn't help but think of Sonic Boom and Spacemen 3 after reading and posting about Space Machine 3. Sonic Boom, aka Peter Kember, did some excellent solo work as Spectrum with a Synthi VCS3. If you haven't checked out his work yet, do so. Forever Alien is one of my favorites. Some samples on the link.

P.S. Yes the Forever Alien link takes you to Amazon, and no I don't get a cut. Freinds are pressuring me to wrap up so we can watch a movie, and that link had some samples, so up it goes. : )

SMule: Sonic Vox

YouTube via smuleage

"Sonic Vox, for iPhone, by SMule.
http://www.smule.com/"
"Instant change. Instant fun.

Tired of your same old voice? Seeking a little vocal variety? Get into character with Smule's Sonic Vox, the real-time voice shifter.

With Sonic Vox you can alter your voice with a swipe of your finger. Want to cross over to the Dark Side? Slide your finger to the left. Now say it. You know you want to. "Luke, I am your…"

Or maybe you are feeling conflicted about having lost a "preciousssss" ring? Move your finger back and forth horizontally and go ahead, rant on.

Transform your voice even more. Simply swipe your finger up and down and hear what happens… happens… happens…

Sonic Vox is easy to use. You can test it out by talking in your phone. It's even better with headphones. It is most effective, however, if you plug your iPhone into speakers and use your phone like a real microphone.

Adventurous? Connect your iPhone (speaker-out) to your MacBook (mic-in). Switch the system preference to Line-In. Launch Sonic Vox. Launch Skype. Make that call.

We hope you enjoy Sonic Vox. Try other entertaining apps from Smule, including the acclaimed Sonic Lighter and Sonic Boom.

Sonic Vox requires an iPhone or iPod Touch 2nd Generation with Mic."

You can get Sonic Vox here:

Sonic Boom and His EMS Synthi AKS

Click here for more images via Charlotte.

Update: The doll according to Charlotte now resides with Sonic Boom. She made it two years ago and gave it to him when she went to see him live. Her brother made his head, you can see more of his quality work here (pretty cool smurf art). I asked Charlotte if she had a website to see more of her work. She doesn't, but she is part of the beloved Tigersushi Corporation. You'll find some interesting posts there. She likes to work collectively with her bother. "I would love to make more action figures from musicians and of course moreover playing analog synths, well... maybe one day."

SONiVOX Announces Playa – Aggro Electro Boom

"Premier provider of soundware rolls out new Virtual Instrument for MAC & PC designed for Hip Hop & Electronica Producers

SOMERVILLE, MA, August 7, 2009 – SONiVOX today released Aggro Electro Boom, a virtual instrument plug-in for MAC and PC designed for fast and professional contemporary beat creation for hip hop and electronic music producers. Aggro is the latest in the company’s “Playa” product family and carries an MSRP of $149 and an introductory street price of $99.


Aggro’s distinctive user interface allows effortless integration of midi keyboards and MPC pad controllers, bridging the gap between MPC style beat creation and the computer-based virtual instrument environment.

Aggro is packed with more than four gigabytes of instruments designed for sonic and stylistic versatility, including earth-shaking basses, blazing leads, trippy pads, slamming construction kits and more. All the sounds were recorded and programmed by SONiVOX’s award-winning sound design team.

Aggro Electro Boom’s Features At a Glance:

- Over 400 World Class SONiVOX Instruments

- 16 User Programmable and Assignable Pads – For quick and easy MPC style beat construction.

- Over 50 Pad layouts – Designed to get the producer going rite away with its construction kit layouts, diatonic chord layouts, drum kits, as well as user definable layouts.

- MIDI Learn/Save Function – Aggro ELectro Boom is instantly compatible with any MIDI controller.

- Independent Zone Tempo-Synched Variable Resolution Roll/Retrigger Mode - Tempo sync note repetitions and rolls to any pad.

- Onboard FX and Graphic Equalizer.

- Keys Mode – For standard keyboard play/performance.

- User Editable Envelope & Filter Controls.

- PC Standalone, VST and RTAS Compatibility.

- MAC Standalone, AU, VST, and RTAS Compatibility.


Aggro Electro Boom is available now with a MSRP of $149 and an introductory street price of $99.

For more information about Aggro, including audio demos and videos, please visit www.sonivoxmi.com."

EMS Polysynthi

via this craigslist post

"Designers: Peter and Rose Zinovieff, (Delay by David Cockerell)
Four Octave keyboard with Aftertouch.
Four Octave Oscillator Bank.
Noise and External input with envelope follower.
2 x VC LFO.
2 x VC ADSR.
2 pole/4 pole VCF.
VC Analogue Delay(This was the original design for what is now the ElectroHarmonix Memory Man) .
Less than 30 built.

This is a very special, obviously rare synthesizer. It is in excellent condition. I purchased this from Sonic Boom of Spacemen3 and Spectrum(I can provide proof/put you in touch to confirm this if you'd like). I had it serviced by a very well known EMS tech in August 2008. There is no serial number on this unit but Sonic was told that it was #1 when he bought it back in the mid 90's. Cosmetically, the biggest issue is that the plastic frames around some of the switches are gone. I never spent any time looking for these but I imagine that they are difficult/impossible to find. There are small tears in the tolex covering. All switches and pots are working 100%. The only thing worth mentioning is that during the shipment of this from the UK to SanFrancisco, the C key got pushed in about 2 millimeters and will rub against the C# key when pushed all of the way down. I'm sure that it would be a simple fix for anyone, but it never bothered me."

Synton Fénix II Q & A w/ Designer Bert Vermeulen & Peter Kember Spacemen 3 @ Patch Point Lisbon

video upload by Dr. Wiener

"(Synton) Fénix II PP Presentation:
including Question & Answers with Designer Bert Vermeulen & Special Guest Interviewer Peter Kember aka Sonic Boom of Spacemen 3 Recorded Live at Patch Point in Lisbon.

All Audio is from the Camera Microphone.

You can Pre-Order the Fénix II PP here: https://patch-point.com/products/feni...
Links:
Bert Vermeulen : http://www.dutchsynth.nl/
Peter Kember : https://www.instagram.com/2020sonicbo...
Patch Point IG : https://www.instagram.com/patchpoint/
Patch Point Lisbon IG : https://www.instagram.com/patchpointlisboa/
Book the free studio s@/ Patch Point try the Fénix II PP in :
Lisbon : lisbon@patch-point.com
Berlin : berlin@patch-point.com
Ordering questions and more information : support@patch-point.com
Patch Point : https://patch-point.com/"

EMS Synthi HI-FLI vintage synthesizer/guitar processor

This one is currently up for auction here.

"This EMS Hi-Fly come with its original pedal controllers from '70, it's very CLEAN hard to find in these conditions! and fully working of course. It's an awesome effect processor for guitars and Synthesizers, I used it on a VCS3 and now as extension on my AKS... sounds from Outer Space ;-) really impressive!

You can combine effects between: Octave Shift, Ring modulator, Fuzz, Amazing and unique Phaser, Wha, the legendary "Meow" vibrato and a complex Vco system for modulations.

It was uses from legendary bands in the past like Pink Floyd (David Gilmour), used today for electronic music productions, experimental music like SPECTRUM (Sonic Boom)

Working voltage is of 110 volts (USA standard supply) but of course usable with a common and cheap 220 to 110 volts converter."

Roland JX-305 Back on the Dancefloor 2017 Groovesynth Synthesizer Rik Marston

Published on Nov 24, 2017 SynthgodXXX

"Roland JX-305 Back on the Dancefloor 2017
Synthesizer demo by Rik Marston
**Watch in HD** **Turn it UP**
**Sonic BOOM @ 07:27 Watch your speakers!**

I finally found a RESTORED, CUSTOMIZED JX-305
with BLUE LEDs and I am sooo happy about it!!!!
The JX-305 was my main synth in 1999, no joke!!
Here are 5 preset patterns that are just the tip of
the JX-305 groove experience! I LOVE THIS SYNTH!!
A Roland MC-505 Groovebox in a synth? No way!!
I love the JUNO-DS because it's sequencer is like
the JX-305 groovesynth... Now I have both to tweak
with!!! I have actually started my collection of Roland
Groove Gear circa 1996-1999 & a working JX-305 is a
MUST if you want to collect'em all! I will make a bunch
more JX-305 videos soon so SUBSCRIBE if you haven't
already! A TON OF GROOVE GEAR videos coming soon!!
Thank you for watching!!!
PLEASE Like, Share & SUBSCRIBE!!
Rik Marston
SynthgodXXX
Earth Empire
Ahnyxian Sound Design
11/24/2017"

EMS Synthi Hi-Fli vintage synthesizer / guitar processor

via this auction

"Very rare and beautiful EMS Hi -Fly with an unique SPACE AGE design...

This EMS Hi-Fly come with its original pedal controllers, it's very CLEAN hard to find in these conditions! and fully working of course. It's an awesome effect processor for guitars and also Synthesizers, you can combine effects between: Octave Shift, Ring modulator, Fuzz, Amazing and unique Phaser, Wha, the legendary "Meow" vibrato and a complex Vco system for modulations.

It was uses from legendary bands in the past like Pink Floyd (David Gilmour), used today for electronic music productions, experimental music ...like SPECTRUM (Sonic Boom) a great EMS Hi-Fly user

Working voltage is of 110 volts but of course usable with a common and cheap 220 to 110 volts converter."

Update: Also see:

Cabaret Voltaire & the EMS Synthi Hi-Fli

Thanks to redroom in the comments for the reminder.

(Synton) Fénix II Trailer

video upload by Dr. Wiener

"All music /sounds Created using the Fénix II

Featuring the Fénix creator Bert Vermeulen and Sonic Boom aka Peter Kember of Spacemen 3.

Patch Point is super happy to announce we are putting the finishing touches on the Fénix II PP project and will begin shipping orders in the next 2 months."

Noir Et Blanc Vie: Top 3 synths I REGRET not buying

Published on Jul 10, 2018 Noir Et Blanc Vie

"I think we all know this feeling, when we wanted to buy a synth and the price was right, but we passed it up. Now all we do is look back and think, if only we had got it right then. Now we live with synth regret, realizing that even though we could have the cost is just too much. Tell me in the comments the synths you passed up on and what you want, but may never own!"

What are you regrets?

A few I regret not picking up which were actually for sale were Delia Derbyshire's VCS3 Putney and a Synton Syrinx both being sold by Spectrum's Sonic Boom, the Jomox Sunsyn, LL Electronic Rozzbox, and an army green Waldorf Microwave 1. I regret them because they were actually attainable considering what they were. On the not so affordable list there were a few ARP 2500s, Emu Modulars, EMS SYNTHI 100, Buchla gear, EMS SYNTHIs, and Waldorf Waves I've spotted for sale over the years. And The Schmidt, let's not forget The Schmidt. I'm sure there were others...

I do have an OB-6 (desktop), and an XTk on Noir Et Blanc Vie's list and love them both. Never picked up an Easel though.

The First EMS VCS3 - SN 001

Apparently, you are looking at the very first EMS VCS3 aka The Putney and sibling to the EMS SYNTHI. Red Bull Music Academy has an excellent post up on White Noise with the history of this particular synth.

"Perched on top of a speaker in another corner sits the synthesizer used on the early White Noise albums, The EMS VCS3, serial number 001.

'That was the very first one he ever made,' Vorhaus says. 'He turned up with a bottle of Dom Pérignon, which cost probably more than the synthesizer.” The ‘he’ in question is Peter Zinovieff, who created the VCS3 with Tristram Cary and David Cockerell in 1969. If it wasn’t for Zinovieff, Vorhaus might never have met his two principal collaborators on An Electric Storm, Brian Hodgson and Delia Derbyshire, of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. 'Delia Derbyshire was my girlfriend. She showed me everything that was known about electronic music in a couple of weeks,' Vorhaus explains, adding, 'There wasn’t much more to know than that then.'"

On a separate note, one of my biggest regrets was missing the opportunity to purchase Delia Derbyshires' VCS3 several years back. Sonic Boom of Spectrum was selling it along with a Synton Syrinx. Two dream synths I would have loved to own.

Delia Derbyshire Honored with Posthumous PhD

via theguardian

"The under-appreciated electronic music pioneer behind the Doctor Who theme is to be honoured posthumously with a doctorate from her hometown university as the programme gears up for the debut of its first female lead.

Largely ignored in life and barred from working in studios because she was a woman, Delia Derbyshire, will be awarded an honorary PhD from Coventry University on Monday."

---

This one was sent in via MATRIXSYNTH Reader Gareth.

An interesting side note is that I once almost picked up Delia Derbyshire's EMS VCS3/Putney. Peter Kember, aka Sonic Boom of Spectrum and Spacemen 3 fame, was selling it along with a Synton Syrinx years ago, before I started this format of MATRIXSYNTH. I seem to remember he wanted around $7k or so for it at the time, but I might wrong. I didn't have the funds so I passed. Also, a little unknown bit of synth history is that EMS sent the BBC an EMS SYNTHI 100 during the time Delia Derbyshire was there, and she actually did not take to it. It is my understanding that she preferred to work with tape. Curious what she might have thought of a Buchla, as the focus of Buchla was to compliment electronic music composition on tape.

Coventry Synth Event Saturday Set for March 21st

via Thonk

"I’m proud to be sponsoring this Synth event which is taking place in Coventry in just under 3 weeks – Saturday March 21st. Come along and check out Thonk gear in the day and/or great music in the evening – Wrangler, Sonic Boom (Peter Kember, E.A.R, Spacemen 3, Spectrum) + Attrition."

EMS Synthi Hi-Fly rare vintage guitar synthesizer

via this auction

See the seller's other items for more.

"This EMS Hi-Fly comes with its original pedal controllers, it's very CLEAN hard to find in these conditions! and fully working of course. It's an awesome effect processor for guitars and also Synthesizers, you can combine effects between: Octave Shift, Ring modulator, Fuzz, Amazing and unique Phaser, Wha, the legendary "Meow" vibrato and a complex Vco system for modulations.

It was uses from legendary bands in the past like Pink Floyd (David Gilmour), used today for electronic music productions, experimental music ...like SPECTRUM (Sonic Boom) a great EMS Hi-Fly user

Working voltage is of 110 volts but of course usable with a common and cheap 220 to 110 volts converter."

CLICK FOR MORE »

WEM Nightshade

via this auction

"Vintage WEM Nightshade analog synth form the '70.
This item is VERY RARE. Sonic Boom (Spacemen 3, EAR) tell me that only 180 was produced from wem. WEM is almost know for their amps or analog echo used by Pink Floyd in the '70. This synth is VERY FAT sounding!!! It is monophonic. 2 osilators with many sound options.... see the foto for spec. 220/110V. In pristine conditions with original cover and power cable (not pictured), full working but sold as is due to its age."

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