flickr by two ton shoe.MOG Little Phatty Tribute Edition.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Roland CMU-800R
Click here shots via this auction.
Details:
"2 VERY RARE ANALOG + CV synth + 2 apple2 computers the kit includes:
- 2 x cmu-800r de roland compu music for apple
- 2 x apple2 with disk drive
- 1 x cart midi interface for apple2 de Passport Designs
- 1 x operation manual for cmu-800 original
- shématics (copy)
- no software"
You *might* be able to track the software down. See this post. via JB
ARP Odyssey III Slider Caps
via this auction.Funny, I never really thought about the Mk III slider caps being different than the earlier revs. I don't think I've ever seen a shot of them on their own like this before. It's interesting that most Odysseys on ebay are the earlier Mk I and Mk II editions. Anyone know how many Mk IIIs were made in comparison to the earlier ones? I'm curious if it's a matter of the number of units made and/or if it has to do with people just wanting to hold onto their Mk IIIs. BTW, the is the last of a slew of auctions from the same seller. You can find the rest of the sellers items here. via Ethan
Nick's World Of Synthesizers
Title link takes you to Nick's World of Synthesizers where you will find a flash based version of the DIY synth you seen in this picture. Pretty cool. Have fun. : )via -=-A:
Update: You can find more images of the actual synth here.
JUNO VOICE CHIP 80017A CLONE UPDATED
Remember this post? If you have a Juno-106 with the faulty voice problem there is still hope. Latest update dated April 16, 2007: "I completely overhauled my 80017A clone: Smaller, even higher quality and easier to install." Title link takes you there. BTW, in case you missed this post, the site is also home to the Analog Renaissance TS-303 MK2 ACID SCREAMER.Via Dennis
Crumar Spirit
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
Details:
"Only about 100 of these made which makes this a very rare find. This keyboard have been compared to the top analog keyboards on the market. The Crumar Spirit was originally designed by Bob Moog (himself), Jim Scott & Tom Rhea and released back in 1983. It is a full featured analog monophonic synthesizer with 2 VCO's so it's got a pretty fat tone, but not as much as the classic 3-VCO Minimoog. However it is considerably more flexible than the latter. It has a basic 37-note keyboard without velocity or aftertouch. The two oscillators feature basic sawtooth, triangle and square waves and can be synced together. The filter section is very nice featuring low-, high- and band-pass filters and switchable 12dB or 24dB slopes. Other features of the filter include an independent envelope with inverted and normal ADSR, key tracking and single or multiple triggering of the filter. Some other features of the Spirit include a built-in ring-modulator, an Arpeggiator with 3 different patterns and that can be linked to the LFO, and there's an external audio input for running external sounds through its filters, LFOs or Ring Mod. For the hands-on approach, the Spirit is sure to please. There are 24 knobs, 10 switches and 15 sliders to start. There are 3 performance wheels for controlling the Pitch, Mod-X and Shaper-Y modulation effects (see LFO specs below). Using those with the Arpeggiator can get pretty wild. The Arpeggiator features 3 modes: Ripple (Up/Down), Arpeggio (Up several octaves) and Leap (Goes up 1 and then 4 octaves). There are also Auto and preset Glide modes for getting some elasticity or bending effects. Since all the LFOs, envelopes and filters are quite flexible you are sure to get some weird noises, fat basses, synths, etc. with the Spirit."
via this auction
Details:"Only about 100 of these made which makes this a very rare find. This keyboard have been compared to the top analog keyboards on the market. The Crumar Spirit was originally designed by Bob Moog (himself), Jim Scott & Tom Rhea and released back in 1983. It is a full featured analog monophonic synthesizer with 2 VCO's so it's got a pretty fat tone, but not as much as the classic 3-VCO Minimoog. However it is considerably more flexible than the latter. It has a basic 37-note keyboard without velocity or aftertouch. The two oscillators feature basic sawtooth, triangle and square waves and can be synced together. The filter section is very nice featuring low-, high- and band-pass filters and switchable 12dB or 24dB slopes. Other features of the filter include an independent envelope with inverted and normal ADSR, key tracking and single or multiple triggering of the filter. Some other features of the Spirit include a built-in ring-modulator, an Arpeggiator with 3 different patterns and that can be linked to the LFO, and there's an external audio input for running external sounds through its filters, LFOs or Ring Mod. For the hands-on approach, the Spirit is sure to please. There are 24 knobs, 10 switches and 15 sliders to start. There are 3 performance wheels for controlling the Pitch, Mod-X and Shaper-Y modulation effects (see LFO specs below). Using those with the Arpeggiator can get pretty wild. The Arpeggiator features 3 modes: Ripple (Up/Down), Arpeggio (Up several octaves) and Leap (Goes up 1 and then 4 octaves). There are also Auto and preset Glide modes for getting some elasticity or bending effects. Since all the LFOs, envelopes and filters are quite flexible you are sure to get some weird noises, fat basses, synths, etc. with the Spirit."
Next! Spacebass 3.3 Analog Bass Synth
Title link takes you to a couple more shots via this auction.I'm curious how many TB-303 clones there were. Feel free to comment on the ones you know.
Wine Country Certificate of Restoration - Prophet 2000
Title link takes you to more shots via this auction.Wine Country Productions are ex Sequential Circuits. They repair and sell Sequential Circuit Synths.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Rohrengrab Tube Based Synth?
Anyone know what this is? Via these two auctions: 1, 2.Details:
"the first of three big cabinets that obviously belong together
maybe early tube synthesizer
measures 50 x 70 x 25 cm
top left 4 tubes are missing, to the right there is a part missing
see picture from the second cabinet in other auction
nothing known of except that old, heavy and big
best to pick up at my place but can be shipped of course
with this unit comes the foot controller, that belongs to the cabinets"
via Johan
Turtle Island ( Mike Oldfield ) - TR3S LUNAS cover
YouTube via YammyMotif.
"All instruments played in real time, except drums, which are sequenced. Sax sound comes from breath controller located in my mouth, providing an incredible real sax sound." Sax comes in 1:42 into it.
via the comments of this post: "I've just created a video with BC3A controller."
Talbertronics - Circuit Projects by John Talbert
oberlin cms
midi triggers
roland slider box
video switcher
sample & hold
midi horn
midi trumpet
Title link takes you there.
Modified Roland PG1000
"The Roland PG1000 was modified with a reprogrammed EPROM memory. Each of its 56 sliders (plus 8 additional external control voltages) can be set from the front panel pushbuttons and LCD screen to put out one of several MIDI signals: any MIDI Control, NoteOn/NoteOff, Program Change, NoteOn with Aftertouch, Channel Pressure, Pitch Wheel.A Forth Programming system was set up in the Rom Memory and the actual reprogramming was then a combination of Forth subroutines and Assembly Code subroutines.
A complete description of the program is contained in downloadable PDF files. Also available for download is the actual code for burning onto a 27C128 EPROM chip."
Title link takes you there. Via the harvestman in the comments of this post. PG-1000
PET: No Yes No
YouTube via petmusic. Oxford Synthesizer Company OSCar.
via Andre
www.pet-music.com
www.youtube.com/profile?user=petmusic
www.myspace.com/petmusic
Roland AX7 Gone Russian
via Don Philippo of Heimatkapelle die Darmstädter Hübsch:"My good friend Reinier Borst introduced me to the beauty of this Russian vintage
synth a few weeks ago. I've been planning to have my beloved AX7 customized for quite a while, but I could never come up with a proper theme until I ran into this Polivoks video.
Although the Soviets had keytars such as the Junost-21, I found the overall design of the Polivoks way more appealing.
To get an idea of what my pimped AX7 would look like, I did some Babelfishing and Photoshopping to come up with the 1982-Soviet-collage. Like the real Polivoks, I want all the print on the casing to be in Russian. At the moment I am getting in touch with some Russian fellow Roland Clan members to help me out translating all the text bits on my AX7's case (link, huge jpeg alert) into proper Russian, since I found out online translation services don't know diddley about keytars.
As for me: My name Don Philippo and I'm in a band called Heimatkapelle die Darmstädter Hübsch (see http://www.hubsch.nl or http://picasaweb.google.com/dphilippo if you don't speak Dutch). The guy who is gonna help me do the makeover is Ernst Fliek. He will (have one of his guys) do the paint job. Some kind of matte black would be nice, but we have to pick a color true to the original Polivoks yet. After that we will try and fit my Kenton Midistream wireless MIDI transmitter unit into the empty spaces inside the AX7 and connect it to the AX7's battery unit. Ernst's decal guy will then turn my AI-files into proper lettering, apply it tho the AX7's body and give it a heavy duty transparent coating.
The project is planned for this summer, although funding issues might push the project towards Christmas;-). I'll let you know of any progress."
If You Are Having Trouble With This Site on a Mac, Read This Post
It's come to my attention that the YouTube videos are not working for some in Safari and Firefox hangs. It turns out this is due to some compatibility issues with Flash. If you update Flash to the latest version it should take care of it. Thanks goes to Ron for finding the solution to this one.
Yamaha DX5
Click here for shots via this auction.
Details:
"This is an extremely rare Yamaha DX-5 Synthesizer. It has two DX-7 engines which when mixed together add up to a much thicker, warmer and diverse sound than a single DX-7 unit. If you are a fan of the DX-7 sound, you will absolutely love the extra sonic possibilities of having two mixable/detunable engines to play simultaneously. Its much like the difference between having a single oscillator vs dual oscillator synth. The keyboard is 76 keys, semi-weighted, with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity and good midi spec. It looks, feels and sounds beautiful..There are balanced XLR and jack outputs for each engine or a mix of the two. Midi in/out/thru, and extemal control of Volume, sustain, portamento and modulation. The power supply is switchable between 110-120V and 230-240V which makes it usable pretty much anywhere in the world. It has been thoroughly tested and everything is working perfectly.
This unit is in as close to mint condition as it gets for a 20+ year old instrument. It is basically flawless, it has a very smooth shiny coat, none of the usual wear marks from finger contact or sunlight exposure. It comes with its original box, original manuals, sustain pedal and two DX programming books. Also included are two very hard to find DX-1/DX-5 ROM cartriges."
via Matt
GOOSE
video upload by Skint Records
Bass Guitar, Drums and Teisco 110f. That's one hell of a good sounding synth to me.
Anyone know if these tracks indeed only featured the Teisco?
Update via Goosebumpz.com the comments:
"If you want to know more about GOOSE...
check out www.goosebumpz.com
featuring :
- discography
- band history
- forum
- streaming media links
- youtube and myspace movies
- chatroom
- photo's
- and more..
thankx.
Leon
Goosebumpz.com"
Yamaha SK50D Symphonic Ensemble
images via via this auction.
This one is an organ/synth combo. You can find some more shots and info on these previous posts, as well as, of course, the web.
SYNTECNO TeeBee MARK III
Title link takes you to shots via this auction.
Details:
"The Syntecno TeeBee is a bonafide 303 ACID emulator with some tricks up its own sleeve! At first glance you'll notice it has many of the same controls as the original TB-303 - Tuning, Cutoff, Resonance, Env Mod, Decay. It has square and sawtooth waveforms like the 303, and adds a ring modulator and external audio input. There's no Accent but this synth has MIDI with velocity sensitivity (there's your accent). Although it has a sequencer, it is very simple and hidden. Therefore, there is no cool 303 slide effect. However, slide effects can be controlled through MIDI, as well as every other editable parameter using MIDI SysEx commands!
As a 303 emulator it sounds pretty darn good. However, it costs almost as much as the real deal. The Syntecno TeeBee has MIDI in/out, Roland Din Sync and CV / Gate in/out as well as an external audio input making a creative tool in your studio for emulating 303's, filtering external audio such as drum loops or voice, and controlling older synths using CV / Gate."
Crumar Toccata
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
Unfortunately the details are slim and there aren't any close ups of the knobs. If you know more about this piece please comment. I'm curious if it's a synth, organ or combo.
via this auction
Unfortunately the details are slim and there aren't any close ups of the knobs. If you know more about this piece please comment. I'm curious if it's a synth, organ or combo.
Roland PG-1000
Title link takes you to shots via this auction.Slider box for the Roland D-50 LA Synth. Click the image so you can see what you can edit on the synth. Unfortunately the top right row is hard to make out. Check out these previous posts for more shots if you want to see what they are.
Oberheim OB-Mx
Title link takes you to shots via this auction.This one is an 8 Voice model. I remember when this was first reviewed in Keyboard Magazine. It was toted to have classic MOOG and Oberheim filters. What's intersting is this was before the scrutiny that came with VAs, and if I remember correctly the reviewer bought into this without question. It received an excellent review, however rumor was that it was the prototype, which is supposed to sound better. Nine Inch Nails reportedly received a prototype and used it in The Downward Spiral.
Check out these previous posts for samples, the OB-Mx story and more. Scroll when you get there. For some bizarre reason the Akai AX80 came up on top. : ) If you scroll, you will find some great samples by Brian Kehew of The MOOG Cookbook as well as other samples, images and info.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Over 2 million hits!
I just passed 2 million hits today. That's real people, not search bots. I hit 1 million on Nov 10, 2006. That's an additional 1 million hits in under 6 months. I started the blog under two years ago, on July 20, 2005 with a somber post. My anniversaries will always be bittersweet. This current post marks number 7,127 since I started the blog. Thanks for the ride so far.
BTW, if anyone visited this blog back when it started, I'd be curious to hear from you. Please feel free to comment. I'd also love to hear when everyone started visiting this blog and how you discovered it. If you have the time, please feel free to comment, and please feel free to use the anonymous account if you don't have time to sign up. Trust me, I am the same way. That's why I've left the anonymous comments open.
Thanks for visiting my site everyone.
cheers,
matrix
BTW, if anyone visited this blog back when it started, I'd be curious to hear from you. Please feel free to comment. I'd also love to hear when everyone started visiting this blog and how you discovered it. If you have the time, please feel free to comment, and please feel free to use the anonymous account if you don't have time to sign up. Trust me, I am the same way. That's why I've left the anonymous comments open.
Thanks for visiting my site everyone.
cheers,
matrix
Exclusive Interviews on Matrixysynth
Before I move on to new posts, I just wanted to say that I added an Exclusive Interviews section on the right of the site, just above the synth books section. I never wanted to do interviews on Matrixsynth quite frankly because I only want to put up posts about synths on the site. I now realize that I can do interviews focused on synths and by focusing on synths, quite a bit about the artist is revealed. Currently there are only three on the list. Do take a look at them. I do plan to add to the list over time.
Interview with Hexfix93 of VAC
The following is an interview I just wrapped up with hexfix93 of Velvet Acid Christ. As you know, this site is about the gear, namely synths, and the gear that helps drive and enhance synths, but ultimately the focus is on synths.I was chatting a bit with hexfix93 and asked him if he would be interested in a slightly different take on an interview, one focused on synths and their impact to his world. We all have our story regarding how our obsession with synths first started, how we see and approach synths and what they mean to us. I thought it would be interesting to hear his story. The following is the interview.
Before it begins, I want to thank hexfix93 for taking the time out for this. We all have a different approach and a different story when it comes to our synths. This is his. For more of his music check out VAC and don't miss Toxic Coma. Cheers, matrix.
1. What was your first synthesizer, how old were you when you picked it up, and why did you pick it up?
"It was some kind of old yamaha cheap thing. i got it for my atari st, so when i played games like leisure suit larry that the music wouldn't come from the wimpy fm built in sound, but a general midi synth instead. it really didn't sound all that great. i wasn’t really a keyboard player at this point.
The first synth i got as a keyboard player was a roland w30 sampler workstation. And we made like 3 records with that keyboard. i remember gary slaughter an x vac member, spilled orange vodka drink on it. and i had to take it apart and clean every part of it by hand slowly, it took weeks. it was a pure nightmare.
AHNE 2007: An Analogue Cinco de Mayo
Just a reminder via alt-mode on AH:
"Analogue Heaven North East 2007 is next Saturday, May 5th from 11AM to
5PM in Bolton, MA! Yup, we're going to make Cinco de Mayo into Syntho
de Mayo!
Dean Stiglitz is also hosting a party and jam session afterwards.
Information can be found at:
http://www.stretta.com/ahne/2007/
Eric"
"Analogue Heaven North East 2007 is next Saturday, May 5th from 11AM to
5PM in Bolton, MA! Yup, we're going to make Cinco de Mayo into Syntho
de Mayo!
Dean Stiglitz is also hosting a party and jam session afterwards.
Information can be found at:
http://www.stretta.com/ahne/2007/
Eric"
Volt Per Octaves 1
flickr by wlwarner."Santa Barbara, California, 2007
We heard this duo performing live on State Street one evening earlier this month. If you ever get a chance to hear them, don't miss it. Dude had the theremin wailing like a squadron of banshees, hypnotizing pedestrians as far away as Cota Street."
Spot the synths.
Keep Our Pets Safe Cybermarch and latest Recall News
This site is about everything synth and let's face it, our pets make everything synth better. Well... aside from fur, hairballs, pee, etc., making it's way into our gear. But... In general pets do make things better. If you have a pet be sure to click through the title link and read up. There's been a food recall. This is actually old news, but if you haven't heard it, check it out. Today is the nationwide march to keep pets safe day. The brown ribbon? It's in support of that. Title link takes you to more info on events today and the food recall, on catsynth.com.
Moog IIIc / 2VCO unison
YouTube via btpro. Sent my way via Yves of Yusynth.
"Moog IIIc demo. Two 901B VCOs set to unison. Play example with Mellotron."
Space - Ballad For Space Lovers (live)
MOOG Liberation. YouTube via MoonlitSwamp. Sent my way via Yves of yusynth.
"It is from 1977 year album "Magic Fly", live performance in Russia I think."
Also check out this great video by Space. Reminds me a bit of Daft Punk actually.
New May releases from Plan b
Via Peter Grenader of Plan b:
"There are a few suprises coming for the month of May which include the release of THREE NEW PRODUCTS above and beyond the Model 26, and a major re-design of another module that's been released for some time. Included in these will be the Model 15A, the Model 28 and 28A
Model 28?
That's not a typo! The M28 has been kept a secret, even at Namm and Musikmesse... but not for much longer.
Keep an eye on the EAR site where they'll all be announced and released over the next four or so weeks.
- P"
"There are a few suprises coming for the month of May which include the release of THREE NEW PRODUCTS above and beyond the Model 26, and a major re-design of another module that's been released for some time. Included in these will be the Model 15A, the Model 28 and 28A
Model 28?
That's not a typo! The M28 has been kept a secret, even at Namm and Musikmesse... but not for much longer.
Keep an eye on the EAR site where they'll all be announced and released over the next four or so weeks.
- P"
HExfix93's so called Studio.
orgon enigiser sherman qmf modular tr606 tb303 synapse
YouTube via LxukDorsett
"Ramon using the orgon enigiser,sherman qmf fliter,tr606, tb303, analogue solutions synapse. The Enigiser is a single-oscillator monosynth module whose sound can be beefed up somewhat by a sub-bass feature (more on this later) and treated via a very comprehensive Voltage Controlled Filter section, three envelope generators and an LFO. The oscillator has a selector switch for sine wave, triangle wave, square wave, variable square and variable sawtooth -- the last a nice touch, and a source of of some of the richest sounds available from the Enigiser, especially when the sawtooth width is modulated by the LFO. The selector switch is a little tight and I'm that sure the knobs on this review model are smaller than on others I've seen. They vary in response from smooth to rather stiff but do free up with use. Main pitch can be set over an 8-octave range, with fine-tuning the expected plus or minus a semitone. Slide (portamento) can be added and even switched on or off via the jack input.What is the Sherman QMF ?
4 Sherman Filterbanks in 1 box, numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. The numbers also apply to the MIDI channel at which the 4 filterbanks are programmed. E.g. filterbank 1 has MIDI channel 1, filterbank 2 has MIDI channel 2 etc...
The TB-303 (named for "Transistor Bass") was originally marketed to guitarists for bass accompaniment while practicing alone. Production lasted approximately 18 months, resulting in only 10,000 units. The TB-303 is considered a collector's item today, often valued at US$800 to $1000. It was not until the mid- to late-1980s that DJs and electronic musicians in Chicago found a use for the machine in the context of the newly developing house music genre.
And so it is... the Revolution
A true analog monophonic synthesizer with an easy to use step-based digital sequencer, analog and DSP effects processing, and various interfacing for controlling MIDI, CV/Gate, and Din Sync devices.
Continuing in our tradition of building quality products, this unit is housed in a rugged aluminum chassis, with aluminum side panels, high contrast black on white finish for superior viewing of controls in dark environments, and topped off with bright blue LEDs all around.
Din Sync out is included for syncing up the playback of the early Roland TR and TB type devices to todays MIDI sequencers. Garfield Electronics Dr. Click, audio-cv-trigger-midi converter."
keybdwizrd - Korg Micro X Demos
keybdwizrd - Korg Micro X Demo #1 (Programs)
keybdwizrd - Korg Micro X Demo #2 (Combinations)
keybdwizrd - Korg Micro X Demo #3 (Combinations)
YouTubes via keybdwizrd.
"Some favorite programs on the Korg Micro X synthesizer"
keybdwizrd - Korg Micro X Demo #2 (Combinations)
keybdwizrd - Korg Micro X Demo #3 (Combinations)
YouTubes via keybdwizrd.
"Some favorite programs on the Korg Micro X synthesizer"
CIRCUIT BENT TR-707
YouTube via weatherkop.
"TR-707 CTIRCUIT BENT BY ME, MY FIRST BEND. 48 BOLT PATCHBAY. REWIRED 4 FUCKING TIMES TO MAKE THE CONNECTIONS PERFECT. SORRY FOR SHITTY SOUND QUALITY RECORDING. WILL BE USING QUICK CAPTURE SOON WHEN I GET THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT."
Friday, April 27, 2007
Sequential Circuits Prophet VS Synth
Sequential Circuits Prophet VS Synth (part1)
YouTube via retrosound72
Sequential Circuits Prophet VS Synth (part2)
YouTube via retrosound72
Sent my way via Mr. Array.
"The great SCI Prophet VS by RetroSound."
YouTube via retrosound72
Sequential Circuits Prophet VS Synth (part2)
YouTube via retrosound72
Sent my way via Mr. Array.
"The great SCI Prophet VS by RetroSound."
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MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
