Moog

flickr by judsonian.

Moog is the title of the shot.

The synth is obviously a Korg MicroKorg.

Ableton Live 6 is Live

Title link takes you there. I'm looking forward to Sampler.

Soundtower Software

This is another case of where the heck have I been. Carbon111 posted about the Soundtower Evolver editor in the comments of this post. I knew about the editor, but I never realized how many editors they had. According to Carbon111, "The Soundtower one was easy to use, graphically nice, robust and has excellent support - not to mention its free with the Polyevolver and has Dave Smith's endorsement. Soundtower's editor for the Microwave XT is my favorite software editor ever. These guys do good work."

http://www.soundtower.com/

White Minimoog

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.

Polysics - Domoarigato Mr.Robot

Embedding is dissabled for this video. Title link takes you there. Features a Novation K-Station, Nord Lead 2, Korg Polysix and more.

New MOTM Modules

MOTM-450 Fixed Filter Bank
MOTM-510 WaveWarper
MOTM-520 Cloud Generator
MOTM-600 MicroSequencer (uSeq)
MOTM-650 4 Channel MIDI-CV Converter
MOTM-950 Triple Output Power Supply (ECC version also available)
MOTM-990 Connector Board

Title link takes you there.

Update via the comments. Apparently these are not that new. Why don't manufacturers update their sites?

Aliens Project Toy of the Month - Korg MS50

Title link takes you there. Samples online.

via sequencer.de.

Formanta UDS (aka Rokton) soviet analog drum synthesizer

flickr by polaranta.

WC Olo Garb home studio, Poland.

flickr by polaranta.

Another of WC Olo Garb. BTW, I'm noticing that the site search uses Google sitesearch and pretty much sucks. More results come up when I use the internal blogger search. If anyone knows how to use that for the site's search engine, please post a comment.

PAiA's New Website

Looks like a new website is in the works. Title link takes you there. The old site is curretly still up on http://paia.com/.

Vocoder im Vergleich

Title link takes you to a page listing a ton of vocoders with samples, images and links to more info for each.

EMS 1000 Vocoder pictured.

Haken Continuum Voltage Converter (CVC)

From the makers of the Haken Continuum Fingerboard.

"Even though the Continuum will work adequately with a standard Midi to Control Voltage device, Haken Audio has developed a high resolution converter to fully exploit the fast data rates and ranges of the Continuum. The Continuum Voltage Converter (CVC) generates control voltage signals that are perfectly suited for interfacing with legacy and modern day analog synthesizer systems." Title link takes you there.

Question on Quantity and Quality of Posts

Hi everyone. Believe it or not I've slowly upped the bar as far as what I post. Previously I posted every single thing I came across because you never know who might find value in what. Now there is so much stuff coming in that I think it would be overwhelming and even rude to put it all up. I know I get annoyed when other blogs post too much - I simply can't keep up and it actually pisses me off when more comes in. Sometimes I end up giving up. I don't want that to happen here. Typically I post between five and twenty posts a day. Is this too much? Annone annoyed with how much I post? One thing that concerns me is putting up new posts when people are engaging in the comments of another post, as that post gets pushed down. Is that annoying or not a biggie as you can just scroll down? Also, I only show three days worth of posts on the page, so scrolling is limited to that and then it's the archives.

So I'm just curious what you all think? Should I leave things as is or up the bar a little? A lot of what goes up is obviously personal taste, so upping the bar for me might not necessarily be upping the bar for you, but, what it would result in is possibly fewer posts. Let me know what you think. If no one comments I'll assume no one cares and/or whatever I do is fine.

Homemade Cathode Ray Tube Oscilloscope by Nyle Steiner

YouTube via nylesteiner. Nyle Steiner, of steiner-parker/synthacon fame.
Via Seth Nemec of bananalogue.com.

Roland 100m Sequencer Project

Via ryktnk:

"Here is a link to a Flick set documenting my construction of a new improved version of the Roland 100m analogue sequencer. The circuits are based on the excellent sequencer design by Ray at Music From Outer Space. The hardest bit was sourcing the original Roland knobs!"

Gorgeous. Title takes you to the flickr set.

Wood for Your Soft Synths

Custom wood cases for your PC by Howard Suissa. Title link takes you there.

Doepfer A100 Modular Synth

Peripheral MIDI Controller

"This is a software program that intends to act as a MIDI controller by using various peripheral devices. The initial release(s) will be focused on using a webcam as a MIDI controller with 3 dimensions (XYZ)."

Title link takes you there.
Via Music Thing.

Splice Synth Samples

"Welcome to Splice. We would say welcome to the future of music, but modesty and serious self-restraint prevent us from it... either way it's nice you showed up. So what's the big deal? Splice gives anyone, anywhere the ability to collaborate on music right through a web browser. Users can upload or record sounds, make songs, listen to other user's songs, make remixes, make friends and a whole lot more."

Think of it as MySpace with samples that you can mix and match. What's cool is you can also download individual samples. Think of it as a sample bank. For fun I did a search on Moog. Zero hits. I did a search on synth. 59 sounds, 4 songs, and 11 people came up. Title link takes you to the results. I particularly liked this sample, myself. Via MusicThing.

Research Interview with Synth Engineer Dave Smith

Update via Anon in the comments: There is more info here: link.

ANALOG-SYNTH FLASHBACK MP3

"Earlier this month, Charles Amirkhanian uploaded another of his archival nuggets: a 1971 radio broadcast focused on analog synthesizers. According to the write-up at archive.org, where the file is housed (MP3), the Mills College Electronic Tape Music Center hosted an event that year inviting San Francisco Bay area residents to drop by and play with various synthesizers, among them Moogs and Buchlas. Don Buchla himself brought some of his inventions, and Amirkhanian reports live from the event, in between what sound like field recordings from the sets of science fiction films. The event, organized by Tom Zahuranec, is titled 'Bucket-Ful Mercury Walk.'"

Title link takes you there. Via Steve.

Wiard Modular

Update: Please read the comments of this post if you are considering purchasing this Wiard. As always be careful on the 'bay. I'm just grabbing the shots and info for the interesting listings.

No title link, just two shots pulled from this auction. According to the auction 300 series Wiard will no longer be built.

"Seven module Wiard Synthesizer with Classic VCO, Waveform City, Dual Envelator, Borg & Omni Filters, Dual Joystick controller and a Wogglebug in an original Wiard blonde hardwood cabinet. Excellent condition! Manual available as a download on the Wiard site. Patch cables are also included! No Paypal. All shipping/packing/insurance is the buyer's expense. Buy this quick before I change my mind! There will not be any more 300 series Wiard stuff built."

chromals Gear

Title link takes you to chromals Gear a synth site info and samples on a number of synths.

via sequencer.de

EML Polybox

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Details:
"The Poly-Box is an odd piece of synthesizer technology. It's basically a small-remote keyboard controller for ancient analog synths, but with a twist. It takes control of your analog synthesizer and, even though they're monophonic, the Poly-Box will create polyphony by programmable chord memory presets. Designed for use via CV/Gate with these Related synths. Here is how EML describes it:

'Poly-Box is a pitch following variable chord generator controlled by your synthesizer and Poly-Box's own keyboard with built-in memory. Poly-Box takes a single pitch from your synthesizer and creates two banks of pitch sources. Each pitch bank contains 13 simultaneously available pitch sources at precise semitone intervals - covering an entire chromatic octave. The pitch banks may be in the same or different octaves, and can cover the range from one above to three octaves below the synthesizer oscillator.'

Also look up these links for more info: link 1, link 2."

Previous posts on the EML Polybox.
via DK (aka gentle bakemono).

Original EMS Distance to Voltage Contverter Prototpye

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.

Details:
"This is an auction for an original EMS Distance to Voltage Converter prototype. The item is in mint condition and is fully functional, looked over by a service tech. This item belonged to the EMS Canadian distributor Otto Joachim, therefore it has no serial number. The item comes with the original DTV brochure and a signed letter from Robin Wood to Otto Joachim describing how to use the unit and a couple of patch ideas. The letters have crease marks due to being folded for an envelope. Here is a brief description from the brochure.

EMS have developed the DTV-- a controller which provides employs an invisible beam to provide a completely different approach to sound control.The DTV projects a slightly conical ultrasonic beam, whose length can be varied between 2 and 10 meters. Any object cutting the beamcauses 2 separate outputs to be generated. The Distance voltage varies according to how far along the beam the cut occurs, and the Gte voltage is held 'on' for the duration of such cuts. Our gestures can be used to activate and moodulate the process of sound synthesis with literally dramatic effects. Movement and MusicCan be directly linked for the first time.

Range: adjustable from 2 to 10 meters Beam Divergence: 8 degrees Resolution: + or - 1% over entire range Distance voltage swing: + or - 3.5 volts

Gate voltage: +5 volts Power supply 240 or 115 volts AC, 50 - 60 Hz. 15 watts Dimensions: 240 x 250 x 70 mm. Weight: 2 kg"

Note two different EMS SoundBeams posted here. I wonder how many different models there were.

via DK (aka gentle bakemono).

SoundLab by ianbargle

Click here for more shots of ianbargle's SoundLab on the electro-music.com forums. I also saved them here.

Menomena::Moog

flikr by OldKing.

Synthesizers by danmcp

Synthesizers Analogue Miniature 3 Modular Marimba Analogue Miniature 2
The latest flickr shtos by danmcp.

Plan B Custom Modules

Title link takes you there.
Currently listed:
Gary Chang's MIlton Sequencer (pictured above)
John Frusciante's triple LPG
Steve Roach's dual Analog Shift Register
Gino Robair's quad LPG
Frac'd Model 15
NIN's Quad LPG
John Duval's custom panel o'fun
Dennis Verschoor's Serge (ish) VCO panel (posted here)
Dan Levey's Sawtooth Animator
Gary Chang's Frac'd Encore Frequency Shifter

rack close up

flickr by Oyster Rock

Moogerfoogers and Moog Ten Band Graphic EQ

modular synth

flickr by analoghell.

2nd annual Austin Analog Synth Meet

No title link, just the announcement.

"the 2nd annual Austin Analog Synth Meet is here!

Location:
Crystal Mexico Gallery
3208 Grandview St, Austin, TX

When: Sunday, October 15, 3:00pm

Bring an analog synth (or several), some headphones
(or a small amp), and a power strip. If you don't have
a synthesizer, come anyway for a voltage-controlled
mind-warping experience.

please repost as much as you like! also, be aware
that the space is a funky old house/gallery and might
not have enough tables - so i would suggest bringing a
stand or something suitable as well.

see you there!
seth nemec
bananalogue.com"

SHEPITOLOGY Takes On DX7 through Korg Kaoss Pad II

A little A-ha for you. Title link takes you to the post on Shepitology.

Mijn Serge

Title link takes you to the set with supersized shots.

via Dennis Verschoor.

Update: Some background info came in via Peter Grenader on AH:

"We have finally completed one hell of a large custom job done for a gentleman in the Netherlands, who will remain nameless here as a courtesy...unless he wishes to contribute that info himself.

Over a year ago he sent us a four panel Serge system which had two incomplete panels. One with only two NTOs, and one with only a Wilson Delay and Quad Mixer. Both were kits made in the eighties, but in very very good condition internally with metal faceplates.

We redesigned both of these incomplete panels so that Panel 1 included four Serge-fitted Model 15's along with the NTOs, and Panel 2 included a Quad Lowpass Gate, a Dual Processor, a Doepfer ADSR retrofit and two of Ken Stone's ASRs along with the Wilson Delay and Quad Mixer.

The project had many design challenges, most of which involved how to fit all the electronics into the shallow Serge Chassis box. It took much longer than we originally expected and I thank him for remaining calm through many many tests to his patience.

Go here for photos, scroll to Dennis' panels. There is also a second page of pics that gives you a lot more details:

Before you ask...unfortunately we are no longer taking on custom job like this. This one was a monster, enough fun for a lifetime!

Now onto completion of Larry's Milton and Bryan's Milton Expander...finally!

- P"

Digitalogue Synthesiser Resource

Title link takes you to a new digital synthesizer resource site. This is a hobby site by OriginalJambo, so don't expect too much. Currently there are some ESQ-1 samples and info up. The following appear to be coming next: Alesis Ion, Ensoniq ESQ-1, Kawai K1, Roland D50, Roland Juno6, and Yamaha DX7. Nice cat.

CME BitStream 3X MIDI Controller

"Bitstream3X, "3X" stands for "3 Axis" because the Bitstream 3X features full control over three different Axis- X, Y and Z. A joystick allows control over two (X and Y), while an ribbon controller is used for the Z axis. With 35 knobs, 8 Sliders and 16 buttons, the Bitstream gives you total hands on control of any DAW software and comes with an astounding 13,000 presets including Reason, Live, Reaktor, Traktor, Absynth, Cakewalk and of course Cubase. Digital DJ’s will love the MIDI Cross fader and the 8 track motion sampler allows automated recording of the movements of the knobs, joystick, crossfader and ribbon controller."

Title link takes you there.

Vyzor Ion

Editor for the Alesis ION and Micron from the makers of this DSI Evolver editor. I found this one in the comments of this VSE thread. Make sure to read the thread if you are considering it. If anyone has experience with thier Evolver editor, please feel free to comment on the quality and overall experience.

Moogerfooger Pronounced

Just in case you were wondering...

Title link takes you to a video with it pronounced by the man himself.

via Rock oN.

Synthacon VCF Ken Stone MOTM Synthesizers.com

No title link. Just a shot via this auction

"This module is a "tribute" module from Ken Stone, based on the awesome Steiner-Parker Synthacon VCF.

Unlike the original, this version allows signals to be fed into all inputs simultaneously. If the same signal is used in all inputs, the result is reminiscent of a phaser.

The real fun starts when you feed different signals into each input, then you get a frequency based "interpolating scanner", where panning between different sound sources is possible, though also subject to the frequency at which they are running. I have never heard an effect like it before.

This is a great filter, by the way, with lots of character. It sounds very Moog ladderish with the low pass input, and mixing VCOs into the LP, HP and BP inputs gives some great effects."

I love the knobs on the module.

M24 Heisenberg Generator

Via Peter Grenader of Plan B

"The boards and faceplates have arriived for the M24. I will be building Nos. 1 this week, doing tests - if all goes well, they will be in stores by the end of next week along withthe first production run of MOdel 10 Polyphonic EGs. You can see a photo of the finished unit on the Model 24 page of the EAR site at: link. Goto 'click here for picture'

The final price for the Model 24 is $250"

Korg MicroX and Case

flickr by JSRockit.

Cool case.

Yamaha WX7 & TX817

via Loscha: "Some people who own Tx81z units might not know that many of the ROM sounds are custom designed for Wind/Breath controller use, which is why some of the sounds are rather quiet." Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. Some details also pulled pulled from the auction: "Lots of fun for the Sax player. The Sax can be used with the battery pack on the waist or with a power lead through the cable.The TX81Z synth is still sought after for the rack for it's ability to blend into a mix, and may be the most generally useful of the two.The Sax can also be used with any midi sound generator that can receive breath control." "The sax can be set as a Bb,Eb or C instrument.(see close up photo). It is not a toy and has been used by International Artists.Plenty of stuff on the Internet about this instrument.Very similar to the WX11 and preferred by some." "The following is an edited version of an article by Rex Djere.. In the mid 1970s, Nyle Steiner invented a wind controller based on the trumpet. He called it the Electronic Valve Instrument. All of these events predated Yamaha's entrance into the wind synthesizer market by more than a decade. During this time, Yamaha was focused on its core markets: brass and woodwind instruments; and keyboards, both pianos and synthesizers. In the 1970s and early 1980s, there was not really that great a demand for wind sythesizers. The demand for the electronic wind instruments began to increase in the early 1980s due to the adoption of EWIs by two very famous saxophonists, Michael Brecker and Tom Scott. Tom Scott's performance on his EWI on Saturday Night Live in 1982 caused quite a stir in the saxophone community. Yamaha saw the writing on the wall, and began developing its own wind synthesizer. When the WX7 was finally released, it was completely revolutionary. The WX7 had adjustable keys, something that had been unheard of in wind synthesizers up until that point. This made it very easy for saxophonists to customize it in exactly the way that they wished. The mouthpiece had a pressure sensor connected to an analog-to-digital converter, but it also contained a metal lever which vibrated and allowed the pitch of the wind controller to be bent much more expressively and radically than other wind controllers on the market. The mouthpiece was fully adjustable. One one the most innovative features of the WX7 was its ability to transmit data on more than one midi channel. This made it possible to play chords and even entire orchestras using the WX7. The WX7 also had a battery pack, making it much more portable than other wind controllers. Sal Gallina became the first WX7 virtuoso. You can here incredible recordings of him playing everything from rock guitar solos to complete orchestral recordings on the WX7 here. In 1988, Yamaha released the WX11. The WX11's main advancement over the WX7 is that it was somewhat simplified, and therefore easier to use. The WX7 had a very steep learning curve and the WX11 proved to be easier for the beginner to learn. However, the WX11 lost some very powerful features of the WX7 such as a thumb pitch bend wheel. The WX11 was widely believed to be easier to play without glitches than the WX7, but the WX7 was considered by many to be more flexible and more expressive. The WX11 was designed to be coupled with the WT11 wind synthesizer. The WT11 was a digital FM synthesizer that had various effects. It had four FM outputs, eight note polyphony, 10 digital effect (reverb, delay, echo, etc.), and it had internal memory. Both the WX7 and WX11 developed cult followings, with each camp very loyal to its own instrument. These two instruments dominated Yamaha's wind synthesizer landscape for the next decade. Yamaha did release another wind synthesizer called the EW30/Windjammer. This instrument was severely limited. It did not have an advanced pitch bend system as did the WX7 and WX11, and was not taken very seriously. The next major evolution in Yamaha wind synthesis was the arrival of the Yamaha WX5 in 1998, which is still in production and is listed by Yamaha for $1400.THe total package would be over $2000."

Accenter on YouTube

Accenter Tool-1, TB-303


Roland TR-808 together with TB-303, overdrive, distortion


Roland TR-606 with internal MIDI INterface


ML-303 Bassline (Roland TB-303 DIY Clone)


BC-303 MIDI Controller, TB-303, Controllbox


YouTube via accenter. Sent my way via Tim.

ThomasInSF on YouTube

808Juno6Jam


808Jam0


Last 808 Jam


YouTube via ThomasInSF. Sent my way via Tim.

RSC - Maraton Rockowy ( Jesus playing Roland Juno 6 synth )

Not my Jesus. YouTube via PolishStuff. Sent my way via Tom.

Synthesizers.com Oscilloscope Lissajous demonstration

YouTube via AndySquirrel. Sent my way via Tim.

SH-5 Tune up

YouTube via CropDusters. Sent my way via Tim.

Micro Live - Computer Music in 1985

I previoiusly posted about Micro Live in this post. Looks like it's made it's way onto YouTube via analoghell. Sent my way via Tim.

Vangelis on BladeZone

via BladeZone where you will find the full article.

"A tremendously gifted yet private man, it was Vangelis, along with a handful of other musicians, who almost single-handedly brought about the acceptance of electronic music as it's own distinct art form. This feature is an attempt to analyze the creative process employed by Vangelis when recording the famous soundtrack for Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, and to try and give a brief insight into the unique manner in which he went about creating and recording the music that he produced during this time, when the digital samplers and music-making equipment that we take for granted today had not even been invented, and the creation of electronic-based music was a much more hands-on process."

"One of the major reasons why the Blade Runner soundtrack still sounds so modern and innovative to this day was the choice of instruments used to create the music, and the way Vangelis would combine acoustic and electronic sounds to create highly original, evocative sound textures - for example, the combination of orchestral percussion instruments and ubiquitous sweeping synth lines heard over the opening titles, played on Vangelis' favourite ever synth, the Yamaha CS80, which provided most of the solo synth lines heard in "Blade Runner", including the expressive, harmonica-like sound featured on "Blade Runner Blues" and "BR Main Titles". The Yamaha CS80 was one of the first ever polyphonic analogue synths to become commercially available, and was a serious beast, weighing in at around 210 pounds!!! Vangelis was introduced to the CS80 at a trade fair in 1977, and was tremendously excited by the possibilities it offered, but arranged to have one on loan for a few weeks before deciding whether to spend the necessary £4850 (the 'CS80's asking price at this time)! The equivalent cost today would be around £26,000. During this period, Vangelis recorded the "Spiral" album (released 1977), which featured the CS80 on every track. Shortly after, he imported a CS80 from Japan in order to bypass the six-month UK waiting list, and the synth arrived in London after a mammoth train journey through Russia. Vangelis eventually went on to buy another SEVEN CS80s, some of which were for concerts, while others were just for spare parts."

via Tim Peters. You can see some of that Blade Runner magic in this clip:

Green Waldorf Microwave

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.