MATRIXSYNTH: Sunday, January 21, 2007

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Rhodes Chroma

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction. This one is in Sweden.

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Details:
"The Perfourmer is a hands-on, real-time Quad Analog Synthesizer. It is a true analog synthesizer ideal for basses, leads, pads and effect sounds! It consists of four voices, each a separate synthesizer channel with its own VCO, VCF, VCA and LFO. Unlike conventional synths, each voice is treated as a separate or monophonic synth, each with its own knobs for tweaking. In fact, each synth channel gets 2 rows of knobs (that's 18 knobs per synth channel). Each of the four synth channels are identical. This method of synthesis allows users to create four totally different synth sounds which can either be layered into unique textural sounds or treated as separate multitimbral parts, such as a monophonic synth bass, monophonic synth lead and polyphonic pads.

Each synth channel consists of the following features and/or parameters: There is 1 VCO per channel with 6 waveforms to choose from plus a white-noise generator. Pitch can be adjusted +/- 13 halftones. There's a 4-pole lowpass resonant filter with variable keytracking and ADSR envelopes for the VCF and VCA. The VCA can also be modulated by the a fixed Gate envelope or the LFO. The LFO has four waveforms and can modulate VCO pitch, VCF requency cutoff, and the VCA.

The Perfourmer features some curious ways of linking the four synth channels together to yield some interesting results. Unison mode combines all four voices into a monophonic synth sound, great for creating simple to complex lead and bass sounds. Duophonic mode combines Synths 1 and 2 into voice no. 1 and Synths 3 and 4 into voice no. 2. This is ideal for creating two-fingered (duophonic) pads, like perfect fifths, fourths and octaves. In Polyphonic mode, all channels function as a 4-voice polyphonic for even better pads and textures.

Additionally there's also an FM mode where Synths 1 and 3 don't produce audible sound, but rather, function to modulate their neighboring channels 2 and 4. The Perfourmer can also be used as a 4-channel filterbank. There are audio inputs to the filter for processing external audio. Each channel has it's own individual audio outputs in addition to the stereo Main Mix outputs in the back of the unit. These output jacks double up as insert jacks for externally processing each synth channel. With some creativity and some TRS insert cables you can actually route signals between the channels, ie: send VCO1 from Synth 1 out into Synth 2 so that it is processed by both VCFs, VCAs, and LFOs in Synths 1 and 2.

MIDI is the main means of playing the sounds you create with this synth. However, four optional CV/Gate inputs (1V/octave) can be added for controlling each synth channel from other analog gear. Cutoff frequencies of each synthesizer channel can be controlled by MIDI, but not by CV. The lack of on-board program memory is disappointing. With over 72 knobs, being able to save and recall your favorite sounds should have been a no brainer...oh well. It's a perfect companion to the Vermona DRM-1 Analog Drum Synth."

Vermona DRM1-MKII

Click here for more shots via this auction.

Details:

"The Vermona DRM-1 mkII is a true analog drum synthesizer. You can synthesize up to eight drum sounds and they can be triggered by MIDI and by an optional set of 10 Trigger Inputs. Each sound has about 9 knobs for shaping the sound. And since it really is analog (and not some virtual emulation) the sounds are more unique and unpredictable than any other electronic drum synths currently available.

With eight drum sounds and nine knobs per sound, the face of the DRM-1 is covered with over 72 knobs! The drum synthesis theory is based around five predetermined percussive sound types. There are three DRUM channels for creating bass drums, toms and numerous effect sounds. One MULTI channel for creating typical analog Cowbell sounds and effect sounds. One SNARE channel, which can generate numerous analog snare drums as well as wacky sonar pings. Two HI HAT channels (open or closed), and one analog CLAP channel. There are seven real-time sound controls plus panning and volume on each channel.

It has a stereo output but each channel also has its own audio output which doubles as an insert patch for externally processing each channel before reaching its main stereo mix outputs. A big unfortunate over-sight is the lack of program patch memory. With all those knobs it sure would be nice for some sort of instant recall of your favorite drum sound settings. The front panel tilts so the DRM-1 is at home rack-mounted or as a tabletop module. Anyone interested in creating their own unique ANALOG drum sounds should check out the DRM-1! It makes a great companion to the Vermona Perfourmer Analog Synthesizer module.

The original DRM-1 (non-mkII) had fewer Hi-Hat cymbal sound controls, no individual output/inserts per channel, no on/off switch, and an external power supply."

Cwejman S1 MK2

via this auction

Growth is Good

Muff Wiggler's modular turns one.

Final fdiskc NAMM shots are up

Title link takes you to them.

SMS MARS x 2, SMS Planet 7 and Doepfer MAQ16x3 pictured.

SCI DrumTraks Synthwood Sides

Click here for more shots pulled via this auction. Pictured is gorgeous Oak. As some of you have probably guessed, these are from Synthwood. The buy it now on these are only $19.50. Not bad if you are looking to spruce up your synths. So far I believe Synthwood only offers wood panels for synths that had wood panels to begin with. There are quite a few synths out there that would look very nice with a set of these. The OB12 immediatley comes to mind - the grey plastic-wood sides that come with it are hollow on the underside - I swear they'll cut a finger off if you aren't careful.

Arturia Origin Sequencer Screen

Another shot of the Arturia Origin via MIDIzoo's NAMM coverage. This one of the sequencer screen. The MSRP for the Origin is $2999. Street will be lower.

Buchla 200e Fuses

Well, not really. Buchla 200e firmware actually. Note the different module numbers in the bottom image.

via fdiskc

Kitchen diaries

YouTube via FGthefamegame. Via Music Thing.

Roland SH-101 Gig Bag

Title link takes you to two supersized shots.

The Roland SH-101 gig bag is mint and from Japan.

via SoNiCbRaT.

V2 of Titania's video response to Morbius 'Tweaking Inertia'

YouTube via titaniamuscles. Morbius "Tweaking Inertia". V1 of Titania's reponse.

Update: Comments for the video: "I added some minor parts, re-mixed it with better eq and fixed a bad note where one of the oscillators on my System 100 decided to do it's own thing!! Original text from version 1... After hearing Morbius's awesome sequence called 'Tweaking Inertia' I was inspired to add some synth pads and a lead solo to it. Well, one thing lead to another and I ended up adding drums, synth pads, a lead solo and some analog effects. It all came together rather quickly in one afternoon actually. The video features Morbius with his awesome modular synth from his Youtube clip. The extra footage is a still shot of my studio showing the equipment I used to add the extra parts. Make sure you check out Morbius here on Youtube to see the original track. Search for morbius001 and Tweaking Inertia [link above]. The full quality version of this clip with stereo audio is on my music website at www.superpuss.net The direct link is [here]

Morbius, you ROCK :-)"

CEP - QATSIMANIA PROLOG

"The opener of the QATSIMANIA event from CENTRAL EUROPE PERFORMANCE (hanten/meskes/mevissen)"

YouTube via HAN10.

MULTIVOX FR6M

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction. One more rhythm box from the same seller as the previous posts. Note that he found an issue with the MAESTRO MRQ-1 and will be pulling down that auction to re-list it when fixed.

New Videos via syntezatory.prv.pl

Yamaha AN1X. YouTube via jexus.

The AN1X is the only VA that sounds close to the Yamaha CS50/CS60/CS80 to me.

Title link takes you to new synth videos via syntezatory.prv.pl. The new videos include the Yamaha AN1X, CS-5, and DX7, the Novation A-Station, Korg Polysix and ARP 2600, and the Roland Juno-60. Note that for each video put up on YouTube there is an Added: label that tells you when the video was added. You can use this to gage what you have and haven't seen based on the last time you checked in.

Previous syntezatory.prv.pl posts

Dopesheets on EMS Synthi

If you go to the EMS Synthi site you will see a number of posts titled Dopesheet with an image like the one to the left. At first I thought they were blank templates you could print out and use to create your own patches on an EMS Synthi, then I looked closer and realized what they actually are. They are patches themselves, for particular sounds. What's really cool is each post has an mp3 for the patch; you can see and listed to each patch posted. As of this post there are currently three Dopesheets up. I think this is pretty cool as you can actually see how the particular sounds were created. Now if I only had a Synthi to patch these up myself...

Crumar Stratus

Title link takes you to some super high resolution shots of the Crumar Stratus and other synths on Bob Cash's Keyboards & Synthesizers site.
Here are links to previous posts on his high-res OSCar shots and his site in general.

Little Phatty Stage Edition NAMM Video on Gearwire

Title link takes you there.

The video showcases the new OS features including noise, sample and hold, and auto calibration.

TRONIX RB-1

Another rhythm box. Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

This one runs on a 9 volt battery.

MAESTRO MRQ-1

Here's another vintage rhythm box. Title link takes you to the shots pulled via this auction. Groovy buttons.

Update: The seller contacted me and let me know that he will be pulling the auction down due to an issue he found with the unit. He will re-list it when fixed.

KENT K-220

Title link takes you to images pulled via this auction.

Anyone know more about these in general? The auction claims this to be vintage analog. These old rhythm boxes fascinate me as the sound and analog synth technology is there producing sound, yet the target audience for these were totally different than that of the pro synth market, or was it?

More NAMM Shots on fdiskc

Title link takes you there. Click on NAMM Shows, Winter, 2007 when you get there. Looks like the Percussa Audio Cubes made an appearance which is very cool. If these ever come out I will be buying me some without a doubt.

Roland SH-101

b|c sent in a link to some shots he took of his mint Roland SH-101. This synth is in spectacular shape. According to b|c, he bought it from someone that put it in storage when they couldn't figure out how to get it to play more than one note; they bought it for for piano lessons. : )

What's interesting is in the comments of this post, b|c noted how the SH-101 battery case slightly sticks out when closed. You can see it in this second shot. Makes you wonder how many were broken by people trying to fix them.

Title link takes you to more including a couple of the box. For a second, I thought it was the same box shot as the previous post, but it's not. I've never seen the box before and now it comes up twice in a row. Odd how that happens. Things usually come in threes, so maybe I'll get to pick one up soon.

: )

bOOmChik Poster

Title link takes you to the source shot on EX5Tech.

Roland SH-101 Box

Funny box. Never seen one before. Box and SH-101 pulled via this HC thread. Sent my way via Gord.

The AM2000

Remember the AM4000, ARP 2500 clone? Well the AM2000 is a replica of the classic E-MU Modular.

"Overview The AM 2000 Modular Synthesizer is a replica of the original E-mu Systems Modular synthesizer that was manufactured in California by E-mu Systems from 1972 to 1980. Over 125 were built, and the last model was given to Scott Wedge when he left E-mu Systems in 1993 - he still has it.

The modules were updated with new circuit ideas during their life time, and Dave Rossum exploited SSM chips in many of the later module revisions from 1976 onwards. Some of the circuits are unique designs, not available from any other manufacturer. For example the Resonant Filter and the Universal Active Filter (an improvement over the ARP 1047 filter show cased in the ARP2500 Modular)."

What's cool is it's almost complete! Title link takes you to more info on The Emulator Archive.