New Modcan Modules

Via Paul Sop, aka Doktor Future:

"Bruce Duncan of Modcan has released some new modules. There's the CV Recorder, of which you posted a prototype panel before. There's also the surprise module: the VDCO, a voltage controlled digital controlled oscillator! It's is a curious mix of digital wavetables ala the Miniwave, but also single operator FM. It's very 'Buchla' like (don't hit me). He's also now released them in the original Modcan format, the 'A'Series. These links have pics and MP3's:

CV Recorder:
the A Version
the B Version

VDCO:
the A Version
the B Version

The CV Recorder costs 550 in A and B, and the VDCO costs 400 and 410 (A and B respectively)."

AudioMulch

Via Brian Comnes:

"Audio Mulch is bar none my favorite sound toy for traveling on business.....it is totally self contained, so it is even smaller than dragging a Mono Evolver in the brief case , plus you can do it on the plane ride, while any hardware companions have to wait til the hotel room. Audio Mulch is much like a "soft modular" in that you put objects on a work surface, you patch them with connectors and away you go, it has a Cycling74/Max kind of feel but is much higher up the food chain. What is really fun is that VST plugins are supported so I push FruityLoops and Microtonic on the work surface and then the real fun starts. I haven't tried it yet but you can route external audio too. If there is an negative side is that there is no MIDI out to control outboard devices, but then that is what Ableton Live is for. If you travel and like the concept of modulars as opposed to just tweeking soft synth, this is the best $80 you can spend

Peace Brian

===============
here is a description of the screen shot and 32 bar sound file Chemutengure - Mbira Melody by Brendon Bussy.

This patch is based on a transcription of an Mbira (Zimbabwean thumb piano) melody composed in the 1800's. (transcription from "Making Music"; Claire Jones; Academic Books, Zimbabwe; 1992).

The original piece apparently imitates the sound of wagon wheels (!) and is based on a typical African 12 beat cycle. I created this patch to see how a complex African melody would be translated by Audiomulch.

This particular version is in fact designed to be played on a Karimba (a smaller version of the Mbira), so I used the frequencies of the approximate piano note equivalents of the Karimba keys, slightly detuned where necessary. I first worked out all of the frequencies and then assigned them to specific 'fingers'.

The melody:
*Melody structure
- I created the melody played by each finger by automating the frequency presets of 4 TestGens.
-To create the 12 beat structure, I divided each bar into 12 by snapping to 1/8th triplets.

*Melody sound
- As a side effect of the rapid volume & frequency modulation of the TestGen, a 'knocking' sound is generated. This contributes to the rhythmic (unbalanced wheel!) feel.
- A side chain consisting of Shapers and EQ fattens up the straight TestGen sound.

Percussion:
*Percussion sounds
- I used DLGranulator to quantise and filter single tones genererated by Arpeggiators.
[I got this idea from someone on the AM forum - sorry can't remember who :( ]

*Percussion rhythm:
- I created a typical African 3 over 2 beat feel by quantising separate beats with 1/4 note (2 beats) and 1/4 note triplet (3 beats) divisions."

Plan B Model 12 Mark II

Via Peter Grenader

"I've devised a simple four step modification to the Plan B Model 12 that adds a switch-selectable overdrive which in effect puts the M12's jewels in a vice - adding a ton of filth, angst, resonance and vinegar to an otherwise pensive filter.

In short, I think you'll love it. So much so that all stock currently at our dealers will be updated in the next couple of days. It will be called the Model 12 Mark II.

It's a very simple modification which requires a single resistor to be bridged across the first vactrol. I strongly recommend this be done via a panel switch because it will keep the filter permanently angry otherwise. Any 'pretty' sounds previously associated with the Model 12 will be gone for good without that..

The resistor value I recommend is a 330 ohm (bands are orange - orange - brown). This gets it nice and pissed off. For the cavalier among you, you may wish to be more aggressive with your selection. A 100 ohm resistor will through it into self oscillation when the res pot is fully CCW. Warning - It'll be shrill and LOUD. Before you opt for the 100 vs. the 330 possibly you'd like to test them both first to see which you like best. I felt a 330 ohm was sufficient.

A step by step (there's only three) list of directions with photos can be found on the Plan_B_analog_blog yahoogroup here

Go to the photos section and open the 'Model 12 Modification' folder. Everything you need is there. It's quite easy. It requires a single DPDT switch, a single 1/4 watt resistor, about three inches of wire and (optional) heatshrink tubing to cover the resistor body and switch terminations.

enjoy.

- P"

Yamaha SK30 Sample

Title link takes you to the post on sequencer.de.

Strellis Synth Videos

Title link takes you to Strellis.com, home to a number of synth videos. Before you get your hopes up, note these are for sale only. You'll find screen shots and more info on site. While there, make sure to check out everything else on the site inlcuding music, projects and more.

E-PRO Spirit Font

Warning, this post is about as geeky as it gets.
Background:
Pictured is the E-PRO Spirit. This image was pulled by nick kent who mentioned the following from Peter Forrest's, A-Z of Analogue Synthesis (BTW, these books are must haves for synth enthusiasts. If you want a copy, drop Peter a line): "From picture linked below and the Peter Forrest book text it looks like there is a HP and LP filter in the E-Pro Spirit, though it also looks like they ran out of room to mark the HPF clearly. The abbreviation up top isn't clear or is just too clever. VCI-PF (?)"

Geeky:
Take a look at what looks like the VCI-PF he mentions. Apparently that is actually VCHPF, as in highpass filter. The font they used is called STOP, and the H and P share edges. Just thought that was interesting. Told you this post would be about as geeky as it gets. The font tip came from Chris Strellis on AH.

No title link.

Modified Minimoog

via this auction. Details on mods:

"It is a modified one, but very professionally modded by a Company I don’t know anything about, in “ancient times”... The mods look almost factory-made, considering the quality of wood cutting and added printed metal written panels. You’ll find the logo of the company in the picture of the modulation panel. If you can provide any historical info about this matter, you're welcome! This Mini has A LOT OF ADDITIONAL FEATURES, compared to a standard one, adding more versatility and interfaceability to the analogue realm! It can be used as a good controller for other Moog, ARP, Oberheim, Roland CV/Gate controlled analogue / modular synthesizers."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sequentix Phases out the P3

"5th September, 2006

It's been just over a year since the P3 Sequencer was launched as a production unit.
We have sold well over 100 units in that time, and the response from users has been excellent. However, due to a number of factors, we have decided to cease production of P3 after the current run is sold out. The main reason for this is that a thorough review of the numbers shows P3 is simply too expensive to produce. All units built so far have been assembled in-house. The amount of effort this requires has meant we have been unable concentrate on developing future products. Fully out-sourcing production of P3 in its current form would mean a significant increase in the final price - it just wasn't designed to be cheap to manufacture, with a large number of separate circuit boards, internal wiring, and a complex case design.

Ceasing production will give us the opportunity to take the lessons learned from P3 and develop a replacement product that can be made and sold at a viable price. In the meantime, we expect the remaining stocks of P3 to move quickly. They will be available until stocks are exhausted, direct from Sequentix, from our US dealer Analogue Haven, and our German dealer Schneiders Buero."

Korg Radias Synthesizer/Vocoder - New Flickr Shot

flickr by Blackett The First.

UP - New Flickr Shot

flickr by devowski.

Title link takes you to more.

Roland PV synth SPV-355

Three shots pulled from this auction. More on the SPV-355 on SOS:

"The SPV355 Pitch-to-Voltage Synthesizer was launched in those very days -- 1979, to be exact -- as part of the Roland Rack series of 19-inch studio–quality effects units, amplifiers and specialist preamps. The most famous of these are probably the Roland Vocoder and the Dimension D spatial chorus. The P/V Synth is a bit of a curiosity, because it seems to have been released on the one hand as a rackmounting analogue expander module (indeed, it's said to be one of the first rackmounting synths), but on the other as a budget alternative to the Roland GR–series guitar synthesizers. These synths were quite expensive, specialised instruments; the GR system consisted of a high-quality, specially adapted guitar connected via a 24-way cable to a floor unit containing a rudimentary, six-note polyphonic synth engine. The SPV355 alternative scored points as it didn't need any special interface hardware (pickups and so on) and you could, in theory, use any old guitar to play the synth. The 1979 Roland catalogue states: "The SPV355 P/V Synthesizer is specially designed for use with guitars", which is ironic, as this is probably the P/V Synth's least effective and most problematic mode -- more on this later.

Fortunately, the SPV335's uses were not confined to guitar synthesis, and for its time (and compact size), it was quite well specified: two VCOs, a sub-oscillator, VCF, VCA, envelope generator, two audio mixers, and a multitude of interface sockets. As with other Roland Rack units, the 355 is housed in a 2U steel case and weighs nearly 6kg, which makes it a pretty hefty beast to lug around. And as for build quality, well... the word 'tank' springs to mind, as does the phrase 'heavy duty'. They don't make 'em like that any more..."

via Simon

Kaoss Pad Guitar

Nice. Title link takes you to the post on Music Thing.